Question 1

Which statement would a cognitive-behavioral theorist be MOST likely to make about hysterical disorders?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement would a cognitive-behavioral theorist be...

Question 2

Rowena had been terrified about testifying in court. One morning shortly before she was scheduled to appear, she awoke blind. In this example, Rowena is achieving:

Accepted Answer

Secondary gain refers to the benefits that an individual receives from maintaining a symptom, such as avoiding an unpleasant situation. In this case, Rowena's blindness allows her to avoid testifying in court, which is a situation that she finds terrifying.

Question 3

Every time Miguel had a headache, his mother let him miss school. Now, as an adult, his headaches have become more frequent. His head pounds any time he is required to do something he would rather not do. This is a _____ explanation of conversion symptoms.

Accepted Answer

The cognitive-behavioral explanation suggests that Miguel's headaches are reinforced by the avoidance of unpleasant tasks, a learned behavior from his childhood experiences.

Question 4

Compared with a therapist with a psychodynamic view, what would a therapist with a cognitive-behavioral view be most likely to ask someone whom he or she suspected might have a somatic symptom disorder?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compared with a therapist with a psychodynamic...

Question 5

A therapist treating an individual with a conversion disorder works to reduce pleasurable outcomes associated with being sick, while increasing pleasurable outcomes associated with being well. This technique is called:

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is a technique used in therapy to encourage desired behaviors (in this case, behaviors associated with being well) and discourage undesired ones (behaviors associated with being sick) by manipulating outcomes to make certain behaviors more or less rewarding. This approach is based on the principles of behaviorism and is used to modify behavior through the use of positive and negative reinforcement.

Question 6

A woman who is particularly threatened by any display of anger becomes unable to speak when she is most angry with her husband, thereby keeping the anger out of her awareness. According to psychodynamic theorists, she is achieving _____ from her illness.

Accepted Answer

Primary gain refers to the direct internal benefits derived from symptoms of illness, such as relief from anxiety or internal conflict, which in this case is achieved by the woman becoming unable to speak and thus keeping her anger out of her awareness.

Question 7

The first time the patient reported vague chest pains to a 911 operator, local EMTs responded with obvious attention and concern. Over the next several months, the patient called 911 more and more often, receiving the same concerned care for the same symptoms. This pattern of patient response is MOST easily explained by which theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive-behavioral perspective best explains this pattern because it suggests that the patient's repeated calls and the EMTs' consistent responses could reinforce the behavior, making the patient more likely to continue seeking attention for their symptoms. This perspective focuses on how thoughts and behaviors are learned and reinforced over time.

Question 8

"It's obvious that the patient observed friends who had symptoms of illness, then imitated those symptoms to get attention," says the therapist. This therapist MOST likely has which theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

The therapist's statement reflects a cognitive-behavioral perspective, which emphasizes the role of learned behaviors and thought processes in understanding and treating psychological disorders. The idea that the patient is imitating symptoms suggests a focus on observable behaviors and the thoughts that might be influencing those behaviors, which is central to cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Question 9

About what percentage of Americans experience a somatization pattern of somatic symptom disorder in a given year?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 4 percent of Americans experience a somatization pattern of somatic symptom disorder in a given year. This reflects the prevalence rate of this specific pattern of disorder within the general population.

Question 10

Which statement BEST reflects our understanding of hysterical disorders?

Accepted Answer

The term "hysterical disorders," historically linked to the concept of hysteria, is no longer widely used in contemporary psychology and psychiatry. The understanding of disorders that might have been previously categorized under hysteria has evolved, and they are now understood within the frameworks of other psychological disorders, such as conversion disorder or somatic symptom disorder. The causes of these disorders are indeed complex and not fully understood, making option D the best reflection of current understanding. Options A, B, and C are based on outdated or incorrect views of these disorders.

Question 11

Both psychodynamic theorists and cognitive-behavioral theorists believe that in conversion disorder, the symptoms that appear:

Accepted Answer

Conversion disorder, according to both psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral theories, involves symptoms that serve a psychological purpose, such as helping the individual avoid unpleasant situations or responsibilities. This is a form of primary gain where the symptoms directly reduce anxiety or distress by allowing the individual to escape or avoid certain situations.

Question 12

Isaac had finally had enough of his inability to walk. He went to therapy and eventually addressed a traumatic car crash from his past. Over time, he began to walk again. According to his psychodynamic therapist, why did these positive changes occur?

Accepted Answer

Isaac's improvement is attributed to becoming aware of and resolving his underlying fears, a process central to psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on uncovering and addressing unconscious conflicts and anxieties.

Question 13

If a man's behavior elicited kindness and sympathy from his wife when he was mute, he would be receiving _____ gains from his behavior.

Accepted Answer

Secondary gains are benefits received from the symptoms of an illness or condition, in this case, the man's muteness, which elicits kindness and sympathy from his wife.

Question 14

Therapists who take a reinforcement approach while treating a conversion disorder would be MOST likely to focus on:

Accepted Answer

Therapists using a reinforcement approach focus on the behavioral aspects of disorders, including how certain behaviors are reinforced or discouraged. In the case of conversion disorder, where psychological stress is expressed through physical symptoms, reducing the rewards (or reinforcement) for displaying these symptoms is a key strategy. This approach aims to decrease the occurrence of the symptoms by making them less beneficial to the patient.

Question 15

According to the psychodynamic view, conversion disorder symptoms function to keep unacceptable thoughts and conflicts out of consciousness. This is called:

Accepted Answer

Primary gain refers to the psychodynamic concept that symptoms of conversion disorder serve to resolve internal conflicts and keep unacceptable thoughts and feelings out of consciousness, thus providing a psychological benefit to the individual.

Question 16

The main criticism of the cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic explanations for the maintenance of hysterical disorders is that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The main criticism of the cognitive-behavioral and...

Question 17

Somatic complaints are very common in non-Western medical settings. This pattern MOST likely reflects:

Accepted Answer

Somatic complaints in non-Western medical settings are often interpreted through a Western lens, leading to the perception of somatization as an inferior way to handle emotions. This reflects a cultural bias rather than an inherent difference in emotional experience or expression.

Question 18

An individual who has been diagnosed with a somatic symptom disorder would MOST likely first seek:

Accepted Answer

Individuals with somatic symptom disorder typically experience physical symptoms that are distressing and/or significantly disrupt daily life, but these symptoms are not fully explained by a medical condition. As a result, they often first seek medical help to address their physical concerns before psychological factors are considered.

Question 19

Freud believed that "hysterical" symptoms:

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that "hysterical" symptoms served as a psychological defense mechanism, allowing individuals to avoid unpleasant activities or experiences by manifesting physical symptoms without an organic basis.

Question 20

People with somatic symptom disorders use their symptoms to express emotions they cannot easily express otherwise. This statement reflects the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of People with somatic symptom disorders use their...

Quiz 10: Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms